LawrieCo

Healthy Soil Healthy People

Building Soil Health in Naturally Acidic Soils

20 May 2015

LawrieCo calendar - May 2015 - Alan Groocock, Telopea Downs, VIC.

For years cropping farmer Alan Groocock could see no sense in putting acid based fertiliser on his naturally acidic soils (early soil test pH 4.8-5.0). Looking at alternatives LawrieCos biological focus on building soil health offered options he could integrate into his fertiliser program.

In 2005 Alan started introducing biological inputs where he could see a fit on his property, he hasn’t gone in ‘boots and all’ but picked bits out to suit:

Over the ten years Alan has noticed the crops visually look healthier from year to year, and hang on longer in drier seasons. There’s been a reduction in red mite and insect pressure across the board. Mushrooms and other fungi growth are returning, indicating an increase in soil carbon.